This the friendly that rendered Keagan Dolly of Mamelodi Sundowns unavailable for Bafana Bafana’s crucial African Nations Cup qualifiers against Cameroon, according to senior national team coach Shakes Mashaba.
The Under-23s are preparing for the Rio Olympic Games in August later this year with a tester against the hosts, which kicks off at 18h30 in Brazil (SA time – 00h30 Sunday morning, 28 March).
Da Gama comments: “You can never ask for a better opposition than this. First of all, we will be able to measure ourselves with some of the best players at our level, and secondly we will get a glimpse of what to expect when we return to Brazil for the Games. I am very happy that we were able to secure this all-important fixture,” said Da Gama.
“I believe, with my technical team, we have selected a very strong squad that will show what we are capable of. No-one will walk into the team; everyone has to work for his position.”
Rivaldo Coetzee, who was in the Under-23 squad for the U-23 African Nations Cup, has not been selected as he has been called up to Bafana again.
Orlando Pirates winger Menzi Masuku has lost his place despite his impressive combination with Gift Motupa at the Nations Cup.
Bidvest Wits forward Phakamani Mahlambi has been ruled out of the Olympics with a long-term knee injury.
Goalkeepers: Jody February (Ajax Cape Town), Luthando Sixhaso (Kaizer Chiefs), Kyle Peters (Cape Town All Stars)
Defenders: Tshepo Rikhotso (Bloem Celtic), Kwanda Mngonyama (Maritzburg United), Abbubaker Mobara (Ajax Cape Town), Thabo Makhele (Witbank Spurs), Lorenzo Gordinho (Kaizer Chiefs), Tebogo Moerane (Bidvest Wits), Iqraam Rainers (Santos), Kgosi Ntlhe (Peterborough United)
Midfielders: Gift Motupa (Orlando Pirates), Aubrey Modiba (Black Aces), Keagan Dolly (Mamelodi Sundowns), Phumlani Ntshangase (Bidvest Wits), Deolin Mekoa (Maritzburg United), Paseka Mako (Cape Town All Stars), Lebogang Phiri (Brondby)
Strikers: Thabiso Kutumela (Baroka), Sello Jafta (Free State Stars), Thapelo Morena (Bloem Celtic), Lebogang Mothiba (Lille)